News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-07-28

quite a reputation in his district fol
, singing sea songs. He said, MI Rus
sell, you've been ut sea, haven't you ?
l said l had. We'll, now, Mr.. Russell,
said he, I've been requested to sing
''Iom Tough at concert tomorrow
evening, and I'd like to know what l an
to do when l come to the part where
they work the capstan. Do the sailors
when they are singing ''TOm Tough
push or pail on the capstan bar? had
a very great notion to tell him that sail
ors always pull; but as he asked me i'll
good faith, L told him right.
''Now the majority of sailors do not
either push Or pull on anything. but a
drinking bar, unless there is a great big
mate with Il Delaying pin standing near
/ to stimulate them. When on shore
they do everything to keep away from
/ the sea and its associations. They talk
knowingly of lawn tennis-that is, the
better class of them-and cricket, and
try to make out that they never saw salt
water. In fact, 1t is only the monkey
that eats its own tail. Literary lnen, of
course, are an exception. They always
like to talk of literature.
''DO you expect to visit America
soon."
81 would very much like to visit
America, but have no idea when [ will
be able TO do so. 1 have receiveda q great
many kind invitations from Americans.
[ believe the American people think
more of my writings than the English
do. Did you know was born in Ameri-
ca? Well, L was. I was born in New
York and spent the first eighteen months
of my existence there. Strange to say,
although have been in nearly every
portion of the globe, [ have never since
seen New York. But | hope some day
to take long trip through America.
''The best sea story, if not the best
ever written, is Dana's Two Years Be-
fore the Mast I hold Dana in venera-
ton for having written that book. He
was the first man to leave the quarter
deck, with its gilt lace and buttons, and
dive into the forecastle and write of poor
Jack with his lump of salt pork in his
pan and oil-sl1in suit on his back as
never man wrote before or since. It is
a great book and a book that was needed
"Whrn my books were first produced
[ found there was no field for them. Sea
stories up to that time had been con-
fined to boys books. Reading men and
women never for an instant thought of
getting book with a salt water
name. l simply had to create my own
readers. For instance, a lady would
drop into circulating library depot
and ask, is there anything new out
that is good?' Yes. Here's a story by
W. Clark Russell just published. w.
Clark Russell? Oh, he's a sea story
writer-for boys mostly, I suppose.
Haven't you anything else?' That's the
sort of thing had to work against, but
[ have overcome it.
The house of the great writer is a
handsome and roomy one, built of red
brick and most pleasantly situated in
every way Mrs Russell is q most
and handsome lady and q great
help to her husband in his literary work.
The house over which she rules is kept
bright and cheerful and the
walls of the rooms are adorned in many
places with models and drawings of
ships. well becoming the home of such |
N eminent sea writer. The family con |
lists Of five children-two boys and
hree girls. The eldest, son, has now
7achod his 18th year, and is being fitted
or literary career. The second is
oung lady of IA years, very tall for her
oe and handsome. The two youngest
re bright little girls with rosy cheeks
md fair hair, and are about 7 and 8 |
,ears old. A more cheerful, pleasant
md comfortable home and amiable and !
hearty family could not be found i'll all
England than the home and family of !
". Clark Russell, on the Island of
Thanet, near Broadstairs. .-DetrOit Free
Press.